Seven out of ten people with a health-insurance policy have never changed their provider or plan, according to new research from the Health Insurance Authority (HIA).
The IPSOS HIA consumer survey for last year also indicates low levels of market movement, with 82% of consumers not shopping around when renewing their health insurance.
According to the study, consumers stay an average of 20 years on the same health-insurance plans.
High satisfaction with existing cover was the most commonly cited reason for not switching, followed by a belief that potential savings would be limited.
The findings suggest of those customers who did switch provider, only 4% did so last year and just 15% switched plans with the same provider.
This was despite significant premium increases and ongoing cost‑of‑living pressures, the HIA said.
IPSOS carried out over 2,000 face-to-face interviews for the survey.
Nearly one in two believe recent premium increases unjustified
With regard to consumer sentiment, it found almost half of respondents (46%) believe recent premium increases are not justified, marking the highest level of dissatisfaction in a decade.
Last year, average health-insurance premiums rose from €1,827 to €1,902, with some individual premiums rising by considerably more.
The research indicates consumers typically require a cost saving of around 20% to consider switching, down from 22% in 2023 and 30% in 2021 and 2019.
Also among the findings from the HIA study are that 46% of adults in Ireland pay for private health insurance, which is a slight increase on 2023.
However, the research also found nearly one in five people who do not currently have a health-insurance policy did previously have one but cancelled it - the highest level of lapsing in over a decade.
Cost was the primary reason consumers gave for not holding or giving up cover.
The research comes as the HIA has launched a new free health-insurance comparison tool, which will be overseen by the State regulator for private health insurance.
Commenting on the new tool, Chairperson of the HIA Patricia Byron said: "We would strongly encourage consumers to shop around each year when their plan comes up for renewal, and our new comparison tool provides a trusted and accessible starting point."
The HIA Consumer Survey is conducted every two years.
